ECOWAS Member States Discuss How to Unlock Transit Challenges Along the Main Trade Corridors in West Africa

ACCRA, Ghana, June 8, 2016 — The Economic
Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the World Bank Group co-hosted
a technical workshop in Ghana from June 7–8, under the Improved and
Facilitated Trade in West Africa Project. The project aims to unlock
transit challenges across key trade corridors in West Africa.

Over 40 participants, including
representatives from the ECOWAS and the West Africa Economic Monetary Union
(WAEMU) Commissions, the European Union, the World Bank Group, and stakeholders
from the public and private sectors along the three main trade corridors
in Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, and Ghana, attended the
two-day event.

“The Economic Community of West African
States is committed to implementing programs that facilitate regional integration
and making it work for private sector operators and the people of West
Africa,” said Mr. Louali Chaibou, Commissioner, Trade Customs and
Free Movement, ECOWAS Commission.

The event brought together stakeholders along
the trade corridors to share best practices in implementing reforms that
facilitate trade. Main themes included: enhancing the flow of transit trade
by managing trade corridors, efficient ports and effective border crossings;
customs information exchange mechanisms between neighboring countries;
increasing transparency of trade procedures; and promoting collaboration
between national border agencies. The intended outcome was to discuss and
agree on a reform action plan to improve trade facilitation along the main
corridors.

"The fact the European Union is financing
this event is testimony of the importance we give to the promotion of the
private sector as an engine for an economic and social development of West
Africa. Our support to improving trade conditions is a priority of the
EU cooperation with the region," said Delphine Aupicon, Program
Officer / Macro-economic and Trade Section who represented Ambassador William
Hanna, Head of the EU Delegation to Ghana.

The Improved and Facilitated Trade in
West Africa Project is a four-year initiative that was launched in
November 2014. The €3,5
million project seeks to support ECOWAS to improve trade in the West African
region and, specifically, transit trade along the region’s major trade
corridors. It focuses on reducing the time and cost to trade, and increasing
border agency cooperation and coordination, to encourage a better flow
of goods within the region, and with international trading partners.

“West African countries have enormous
potential to strengthen competitiveness and increase trade flows, which
can drive growth, reduce poverty, and deliver jobs to the region. The World
Bank Group is pleased to be working in partnership with regional organizations,
member states, the private sector and development partners to help these
countries unlock transit challenges along key trade corridors, and improve
their competitiveness within the global economy,” said Ronke-Amoni
Ogunsulire, IFC Country Manager for Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Niger and
Togo.

About ECOWASThe Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS) was established on May 28 1975 via the Lagos treaty. ECOWAS is
a 15-member regional body with a mandate of promoting economic integration
in all fields of activity of its member states. As one of the pillars of
the African Economic Community, ECOWAS was set up to foster economic integration
by creating a borderless region where the population has access to its
abundant resources under a sustainable environment and promote good governance
and democracy. For more information, please visit www.ecowas.int.

About the World Bank GroupThe World Bank Group is one of the world's
largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries. It comprises
five closely associated institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction
and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA),
which together form the World Bank; the International Finance Corporation
(IFC); the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA); and the International
Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). Each institution
plays a distinct role in the mission to fight poverty and improve living
standards for people in the developing world. For more information, please
visit www.worldbank.org,
www.miga.org,
and www.ifc.org.